To What Extent Was Socialism the Inspiration for the Paris Commune?

The battle of Sedan in 1870 was to prove to be the decisive battle of the Franco-Prussian war and effectively witnessed the capitulation of France to Germany. The resulting abdication of Napoleon III and end of the second empire resulted in a power vacuum. IN response to this a general election (with universal male suffrage) was called in January 1871 which saw monarchist candidates winning huge support from the provinces. The result of this was the formation …

…view that nationalism as opposed to socialism was the inspiration for the Commune. However the importance of its legacy cannot be overlooked. The Commune has long since been idolised Bibliography: 1.<Tab/>R. Tombs, ?The Paris Commune 1871? (Longman, London, 1999) 2.<Tab/>R. Magraw, ?France 1815-1914, The Bourgeoisie Century? (Fontana Press, London, 1983) 3.<Tab/>W.H.C Smith, ?Second Empire and the Commune, France 1848-1871? (Longman, London, 1985)